So I was wondering of a success story out there because all my research now shows weight gain after weight gain even if you exercise and eat right. I love to write and share what I've learned over the years. Consult with a doctor before engaging in higher-intensity strength training. Doing well, as well as to be expected. It makes hormones that control every part of your metabolism, from your heart rate to how quickly you burn calories. #3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499850/#:~:text=T4%20is%20deiodinated%20to%20T3,globulin%2C%20prealbumin%2C%20and%20albumin. Women without a thyroid tend to develop insulin resistance and leptin resistance over time if their thyroid is not treated adequately. These 're just a few factors. I should have added that antibodies are irrelevant after a TT. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Regis University in Denver and a Bachelor of Arts in the History of Medicine from the University of Colorado-Boulder. Now I gained a ton of weight and have a hard time losing. Daily exercise is necessary for everyone, especially in our sedentary, overly busy world. Check your mailbox for your guide. Test your thyroid levels from home and know your levels in days. If you are new to exercising, try walking as often as you can. If the measurement is made at rest, it is known as the basal metabolic rate (BMR). Suppose your thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and T4 levels are borderline, or you havesubclinical hypothyroidism. Your goal here should be to try and mimic whatever production of thyroid hormone your thyroid was producing BEFORE it was taken out. Hey! Integrating thyroid hormone signaling in hypothalamic control of metabolism: crosstalk between nuclear receptors, Hypothyroidism and obesity: an intriguing link, Thyroid function and body weight: a community-based longitudinal study, Association between thyroid function and body mass index: a 10-year follow-up, LEVO-T: highlights of prescribing information, Leptin resistance: underlying mechanisms and diagnosis, Thyroid hormones and the metabolic syndrome. We know that this is a problem because studies have shown that patients who use only T4 medications like levothyroxine never obtain normal healthy free T3 levels after thyroid surgery. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved, Mary Shomon is a writer and hormonal health and thyroid advocate. Didn't find the answer you were looking for? #4. But, once you wake up from surgery, you immediately have the opposite problema hypoactive (underactive) thyroid. I lost 50 lb in 2014 through CICO, gained about 20 lb over the next seven years, and lost 15 lb . In that case, you are not alone, and there is usually an underlying reason why you are having this experience.. She is the author of "The Thyroid Diet Revolution.". ", Most people cannot expect extreme weight loss once they start thyroid hormone replacement medication. What we put in our bodies certainly impacts how it performs. These are all the foods you'll want to avoid if you want to heal your . A lot of this weight is excess water and salt. I too am still always tired body pains I cant maintain normal life at all especially for being 28. You have to realize that's all it is - an excuse and don't let it become one. Losing weight is never fun and for most of us, its not easy especially as we get older. Do doctors prescribe thyroid medication to help with weight loss? You burn calories through physical activity and by performing your daily activities. Thirty minutes a day. This indicates that your thyroid very likely isnt the only factor behind your gain. Hypothyroidism and weight gain often go hand in hand. According to the American Thyroid Association, when your thyroid hormone levels are normalized, you should be able to lose, maintain, and gain weight just like someone without thyroid disease. "However, the weight gain seen with Hashimoto's thyroiditis is usually less dramatic than the weight loss seen with autoimmune hyperthyroidism (Graves disease)." The thyroid gland is responsible for controlling about 60% of your entire metabolism(2), give or take a few percentage points based on the person. Lots and lots of healthy fat help bring up your calorie consumption. By using this Site you agree to the following, By using this Site you agree to the following, Where is normal and where is below normal. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. You can read more about my own personal health journey and why I am so passionate about what I do. You may be able to jumpstart your weight loss by getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, following a special diet, eating more fiber, avoiding goitrogens, and increasing your physical activity. Win Prizes. Learn the explanation and the role of thyroid medication in weight loss. read more about my own personal health journey, free thyroid downloads, resources, and PDFs here. Oops! This will almost always include a combination of T4 and T3. In this free download, you'll get a five-day meal plan that includes a grocery list and recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, two snack options, plus dessert. Isnt it ironic that women tend to gain weight immediately after their thyroid has been removed knowing that their thyroid controls a huge percentage of their weight? To assess the weight changes associated with thyroid hormone replacement or suppressive therapy after thyroidectomy, we measured the weights of patients before and after thyroidectomy and compared them to the weights of euthyroid patients with . And in general, the more severe the hyperthyroidism, the more weight that is lost. But because metabolisms in these individuals are working harder and faster, they often feel hungrier and some may gain weight instead. Last time, was diagnosed with borderline hypothyroidism started .025 mcg levothyroxine side effects to get over took me 9 weeks went back to dr for Hello, a functional doc just took my labs and it shows tsh is low, .848 and t4 is normal, 6.8 and t3 is normal,172. ", Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Its primary purpose is to make and secrete thyroid hormones, which tell cells how to use and store energy.. I have a herbalife shake in the morning with almond milk, a lean cusine for lunch, and fresh fruit, veggies, chicken, with rice or tortilla for dinner. Also may need to determine if you have abnormal levels of immature red blood cells. People generally lose a few lbs after a partial or total Thyroidectomy it's a given, but once your body rids itself of those extra hormones, you will start packing on the lbs. Weight is challenging because your brain never really adjusts to the new hormone levels as my Endo explained to me, so with high suppression therapy, like mine: I'm 130 lbs and also taking 137mcg Synthroid, I will most likely always feel hungry. 2023 Dr. Westin Childs | Thyroid & Health Supplements That Work Built withGeneratePress and powered by Kinsta. The AIP diet helps you identify which foods may be causing inflammatory markers to wreak havoc on your system., Working with your thyroid doctor, nutritionist, trainer, and even therapist can help you attack your weight gain from all angles. Then you can build up to high-intensity cardio activities such as running and kick-boxing, as well as strength-training routines. It works by telling your cells to absorb the excess sugar, or glucose, in your blood after you eat and to use it for energy. And also lifting weights to increase muscle mass - using free weights, machines and cables. People with hypothyroidism need to take thyroid hormone replacement medication to "replace" the hormone no longer made by the thyroid. Cardiologist says I have had minor silent heart attack due to 175 mcg Synthroid level..yikes! Suffice it to say, I'm not that svelt size 2 any longer. For instance, a 2014 study looked at a community-based sample of 1,944 adults with normal thyroid function who were followed for 11 years. When theres too much leptin, which also happens when youre obese, your body becomes less sensitive to leptins signals, resulting in leptin resistance. Others still experience a slow weight gain over many years. Your metabolism involves a series of processes that break down food and convert it into the energy your body needs to run. These tests will measure your TSH, T3, and T4 levels. User Reviews for Synthroid to treat Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal. Also, if tested for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin, please post those as well. By Mary Shomon Some doctors even prescribe it to help with weight loss (which is a big no-no in the absence of thyroid disease.) Log In Once on meds, TSH, which should be a screening test at best, is completely inadequate to base dosing changes on. Exercise is an important complement to a healthy diet in order to help burn calories, Corsino says. Weight gain is a frustrating symptom of hypothyroidism. Then after developing thyroid cancer had to have it removed this year. I was switched to synthroid the non generic form because there is a guaranteed consistancy with them compared to levothyroxine which my Dr. Told me doesnt only differ from pharmacy, but can actually fluctuate up to 20mcg up or down from what the dosage was supposed to be from pill to pill. If you need a total thyroidectomy where your entire thyroid gland is removed, you'll develop hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid). When I exercise (when I CAN without limping), I am exhausted for days after. I have Graves Disease and never had problems losing weight by just exercising and "watching" what I eat. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Her background includes caring for patients in womens health, critical care, pediatrics, allergy, and immunology. Ann Nutr Metab. Even though it is a biased measure, BMI is still widely used in the medical community because its an inexpensive and quick way to analyze a persons potential health status and outcomes. Also if tested for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin (an iron test), please post those and ranges as well. If so, please post those results as well. Understanding this phenomenon will help you manage your expectations and prevent you from getting discouraged when you start your weight loss journey. If you have questions regarding your health you should seek qualified information from a medical professional or your doctor. It doesnt seem to be changing much yet overall I do feel a bit better no energy though still its only been a couple weeks though. Losing weight is difficult as it is, but its an even bigger challenge after youve had a Thyroidectomy which is a removal of your thyroid gland. I agree that you must get the Free T3 and FREE T4 tested. Reduce the amount of complex carbohydrates in your diet. Indian J Endocrinol Metab. One major reason Lean Optimizer is better than other options is because it's doctor formulated and scientifically tested to work. A 2009 study looked at nearly one thousand patients who underwent thyroidectomy between 1985 and 2005 to evaluate complication rates and recurrence rates. I was on levothyroxine, but my levels werent going down at one point my tsh was 5.12. What thyroid med are you taking and what is the daily dosage? In that case, weight gain may be enough to support your doctor's decision to prescribe medication. . Have you had vitamin B12 tested? While weight loss can be very difficult and frustrating once your thyroid has been removed it is definitely not impossible. It has been appreciated for a very long time that there is a complex relationship between thyroid disease, body weight and metabolism. May 2014. That's it. Understandably, many people assume that taking thyroid medication will help them lose weight. So, dont worry its not your fault. Eat a diet that consists of lean meats, green leafy vegetables, low-sugar fruits, and low-fat dairy products. This usually reverses once your hyperthyroidism is treated. I don't practice medicine anymore and instead specialize in helping people like YOU who have thyroid problems, hormone imbalances, and weight loss resistance. 3. The study concluded that the association between TSH and weight gain doesn't necessarily mean that one causes the other. So today Im going to give you some great suggestions which will help improve your thyroid conversion to the active T3 and maximize your fat loss. Having hypothyroidism sometimes means it is harder to get moving. This has to do with genetics and hormones. If youve gained weight AFTER your thyroid has been removed the first place you should look at is your thyroid medication dose. Kouidhi S, Clerget-Froidevaux MS. I had gained a lot of weight during the years and ended up at 157 lbs before the hysterectomy. Eating too many complex carbohydrates can make you gain weight easily after a thyroidectomy. Treatment options for thyroid cancer might include: There are several treatment options for hyperthyroidism. Background: Patients who undergo thyroidectomy often complain of weight gain, which they frequently attribute to inadequate thyroid hormone replacement. The healthy thyroid gland produces roughly 80% T4 and 20% T3 thyroid hormone(3). Typically, the more severe the hypothyroidism, the greater the weight gain, but usually its between 5 and 10 pounds. Thats just the unfortunate situation that you are now in once your thyroid is gone. But well ALSO be optimizing your other fat burning hormones which means a faster metabolism, more energy and healthier fat loss especially in those stubborn fat areas. As discussed above, the simplistic explanation is that having an underactive thyroid often causes people to gain weight because their bodies stop using calories efficiently. Finding the right dose of thyroid medication, Additional steps to manage your weight after a thyroidectomy, Thyroidectomy: Reasons, Procedure, And Recovery. Levothyroxine is one of the more challenging pharmaceuticals to manufacture and has a wider range of variation. Association between thyroid function and body mass index: a 10-year follow-up. People who produce too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism) have a faster metabolism, which generally makes it hard to gain weight.. It determined that total thyroidectomy is safe and is associated with a very low incidence of disabilities. I have a great family and a great lifeone that I would like to get back. #4. Either source will work but make sure you do NOT neglect this step! Most of your calories should come from healthy protein sources, like skinless chicken, turkey breast, tofu and egg whites. You might want to get your levels tested. Restart Medical LLC. T3 is the active thyroid hormone at the cellular level, delivering oxygen and energy to cells, and its often low in hypothyroid patients. Check out my own personal health story. People can lose their thyroid or have a poor-functioning thyroid for several reasons. One of the more surprising side effects of low thyroid hormone is a diminished appetite. I put on ~70 lbs over the past 14 years, but used the hypothyroidism as an excuse. Foods with a high fat or sugar content will make it more difficult to lose weight, even if you are on hormone replacements. Also, please post your thyroid related test results and reference ranges shown on the lab report. On the contrary, people with an underactive thyroid have a slower metabolism, making it harder to utilize and burn energy. FT3 and FT4 should be tested every time TSH is, and the three tests in order of importance are FT3, FT4 and TSH. Yes, some people will see their weight slightly increase, but weight may remain unchanged, or you may even lose weight. All rights reserved. I fought fatigue prior to having removal, but now I have extreme wicked fatigue. A new doctor switched me to Armour Thyroid and an iodine/iodide supplement called Iodoral. Check your mailbox for your guide. Once your hormone levels are within the normal range, you may lose a small amount of weight that mainly consists of the extra water and salt your body has built up. Researchers arent exactly sure why this is, but low T3 levels and hormone resistance issues may play a role. Shopping around the perimeter of the grocery store is an excellent strategy for eating well because that is where you find fruits, vegetables, and meat. How can you consider someone to be adequately treated if you do not at least try to mimic the same hormone production that a healthy thyroid gland produces? Examples of complex carbohydrates include potatoes, white bread, pasta and rice. I have had so many specialist appoinments (cardio, pulm, sleep, gi, pcp, neuro) and still cant get an answer besides "fatigue is not life threatening so you may have to just live with it". Restriction can actually have the opposite effect with keto. * As with all information, products and services, results are not guaranteed and may vary from one individual to another. Labs are stone cold normal. In addition, they almost always use the weakest form of thyroid medication levothyroxine and Synthroid. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Not only can the wrong dose affect your weight, but it can throw off just about every system in your body., Regularthyroid function testswill be required after you have a thyroidectomy. None of them had a thyroidectomysurgical removal of the thyroidwhich is another treatment option. Throw in aging and stress and now things get a bit more challenging. LEVO-T: highlights of prescribing information. Diet drugs may pose special problems for people with hypothyroidism because of drug interactions. You already know that your endocrinologist or thyroid doctor is probably not even concerned about your weight gain. Like I said if you haven't already request a consult to a reputual endocrinologist to do a good work up on you and rule in/out any other thyroid or endocrine issues. The efficiency at which it does this is called your basal metabolic rate (BMR). We know this because of clinical studies which have attempted to estimate exactly how much your thyroid contributes to body weight. (since reduced back to 137 mcg) Also, now have minor sleep apnea due to weight gain. 2016;20(4):554-557. doi:10.4103/2230-8210.183454, Bjergved L, Jrgensen T, Perrild H, et al. So sleep is very important in that aspect. Patients eat healthier and/or less just because of the limited options, generally leading to weight loss. PLEASE HELP! After a total thyroidectomy and being on Levothyroxin, I was having head-meets-desk energy problems every day. Hyperthyroidism is frequently the result of an autoimmune disorder called Graves' disease. If you have a good endrocrinologist you should be back to square after about 6 months. As in leptin resistance, when your insulin levels are continually elevated, your cells become less sensitive to the signals insulin gives. Thyroidectomy is used to treat thyroid disorders like thyroid cancer, goiter (a noncancerous enlargement of the thyroid), or an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism). What symptoms do you have now? Lean Optimizer helps promote healthy fat burning hormones and enzymes, naturally. Your doctor may also check other labs depending on why you have the thyroidectomy in the first place and also monitor for other complications like damage to the parathyroid gland., You will also need to test your thyroid function periodically once you are on the correct dose of medication. The variance in study results further illustrates how intricate the relationship between thyroid hormones and weight really is. Hard work and determination can get you where you want to go. Because your thyroid can no longer produce thyroid hormone on its own, you will need to pay close attention to what type of thyroid medication you are using and how much you are using. Once your thyroid has been removed you are losing the benefit of 20% of the strongest thyroid hormone in your body and replacing it with an extra 20% of a weaker version. But, if you force yourself to run and you cannot stand running (or it hurts too badly), you likely will not stick with it. In addition to maintaining energy balance and metabolism, leptin also tells your hypothalamus when youve had enough to eat, stimulating thyroid hormone production to burn fat. I say ironic because your doctor will try to play it off like your weight gain is due to some other cause when the most obvious cause seems to be overlooked. . Thyroid hormone plays a key role in regulating metabolism. I had a partial thyroidectomy to remove a large solitary non cancerous nodule just over 4 weeks ago. The Content on this Site is presented in a summary fashion, and is intended to be used for educational and entertainment purposes only. Metabolism is determined by measuring the amount of oxygen used by the body over a specific amount of time. I told my Endo about my hunger feelings and that's what he told me. There arent many scientific studies regarding how much weight is gained or lost once hypothyroid people are treated with the synthetic thyroid hormone levothyroxine, but the limited evidence that is available indicates that not everyone loses weight with treatment and in the ones who do, its limited. Removed right side on March 1, 2017 due to a 4cm tumor blocking my airway. Thus, while people with hypothyroidism often struggle with weight gain, the thyroid is usually not the only culprit behind increasing numbers on the scale. 5. I'm a 46-year-old mother of two children aged 11 and 13. My levels last time I got labs were 1.84. This can make losing weight extremely difficult. In that case, your thyroid may still work normally after surgery. Schedule a consult with one of our board-certified thyroid doctors or thyroid nutritionists to help you get back on track. STIs are the most common cause of genital sores. Your thyroid works closely with your hypothalamus, a small area of your brain, to maintain both your weight and your energy balancewhats left after you eat and your body uses the calories it needs. And if you are not replacing it adequately you will continually gain weight and/or have difficulty losing weight (usually both). You'll want to work with your healthcare provider to determine the best option based on your age, medical history, current health, underlying causes, and the severity.. Reduce the number of calories that you consume. Many patients with an overactive thyroid end up losing weight. Welcome to my website! After a total thyroidectomy and being on Levothyroxin, I was having head-meets-desk energy problems every day. Studies show that both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can create insulin resistance. It is not intended to be and should not be interpreted as medical advice or a diagnosis of any health or fitness problem, condition or disease; or a recommendation for a specific test, doctor, care provider, procedure, treatment plan, product, or course of action. You will have to replace these thyroid hormones through prescription drugs for the rest of your life. Eur Thyroid J. Whenever you have excess energythe result of eating more food than your body can usethis energy gets stored in fat cells and you gain weight. If so, you are like most other thyroid patients. It will be up to you to advocate for yourself! I have never had antibodies or other thyroid testing done. In most cases, excess thyroid hormone is associated with a high basal metabolic weight. But I am speaking from experience when I say that the weight loss they experience is much slower when compared to people with a thyroid. I still have half of my thyroid. What hasnt? Because one of the biggest complaints of people with low thyroid is weight gain. Losing fat and building muscle will further enhance your metabolism to make up for your lack of thyroid gland. Thyroidectomy is the surgical removal of all or part of your thyroid gland. Want to know why I'm so passionate about these topics? mine was out in 2006 & my fatigue keeps getting worse along with muscle loss.The last few yrs i struggle severely to take care of myself. There have been those that haven't had a weight gain problem, but those are few and far imbetween. Have been diagnosed with ideopathic hypersomnia, IBS, ADD, Anxiety Disorder, and all kinds of other crap I never had before the surgery. The weight loss is usually caused by the body getting rid of an excess accumulation of water and salt (i.e The second most important formula for fat loss success is exercise. I had total thyroidectomy 6-12-2012. I need to know has anyone had success with weight loss after total Thyroidectomy ? Let's first start with the things you should NOT do because these will quickly sabotage any weight loss goals you'll ever have. Find inspiration for a healthy way to support your thyroid. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. However, since thyroid hormones control your body's ability to use energy, removing it reduces your resistance to infections and increases the risk of developing diabetes. One of the leading causes of hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroiditis or Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Try . It helps regulate how fast you use and store energy, and it also controls growth and development. I am only 38 yo and I have 4 teenagers that I want to be active with.